Almost 24 hours later the temperature has dropped 30 degrees

Midland Reporter-Telegram

Published 7:33 am, Monday, January 12, 2015

Photo: Rachael Gleason | Reporter-Telegram

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Kia James scrapes the ice off his car Dec. 31, 2014, in central Midland. Although born in Hawaii, James said he spent many years in the north before moving to Odessa and later Midland. "Texans can't drive in the ice," he said, noting they hit the brakes when they shouldn't but fail to slow down when they should on bridges and overpasses.

Kia James scrapes the ice off his car Dec. 31, 2014, in central Midland. Although born in Hawaii, James said he spent many years in the north before moving to Odessa and later Midland. "Texans can't drive

So far, 2015 is going down as a cold year, certainly a change from 2014, one of the warmer years on record.

The latest cold spell hit the Permian Basin Sunday night and Monday morning, and the proof can be seen at the thermometer as the difference in temperatures in a 24-hour period will be close to 30 degrees.

At 4:53 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service reported a high of 63 degrees. At 11:53 a.m. Monday the NWS reported a temperature of 33 degrees. The NWS is also reporting temperatures have been falling since 4:53 a.m. Monday.

For Midlanders hoping for more days like Sunday, they will have to wait. Tonight, there is a 30 percent chance of snow, freezing rain and sleet. The low, according to the NWS, should fall into the low 20s.

Tuesday doesn’t look much better, with a high temperature of 34, a low in the lower 20s and a 20 percent chance of frozen precipitation throughout the day, according to the NWS. Wednesday, the forecasted high is 41, but that temperature is still more than 15 degrees below average for this time of year (57).

The next warming trend is set for Friday through Sunday, when high temperatures hit average for this time of year or rise as much as 10 degrees above average, according to the NWS.